Patriots Gridiron News: 3 storylines to watch in Week 4 matchup vs. Miami

Who steps up on defense? 

While the offense finds its way, the New England Patriots really needs the defense to carry them.

Unfortunately, the last couple of weeks have shown that defense still has some major issues, particularly in the front seven.

Led by Stephon Gilmore, the secondary will be fine.  In the defensive front, the Patriots need to get some pass rush on opposing quarterbacks as well as contain the run.

The return of both Trey Flowers and Patrick Chung should help things, but someone else really needs to step up.  The obviously answer and solution is linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

While he has encountered quite a bit of criticism over the last few days, he remains optimistic that the defense will get its act together if and when everyone gets on the same page and sees the field as a cohesive unit.  That involves understand what’s in front of the and through dialogue on the field.

"“It’s good.  It’s good to kind of see what perceptions are going throughout,” Hightower said when it comes to understanding what’s happening on the field.  “Why we’re doing this.  A lot of times it will help guys maybe see things or play things a lot quicker, known what to expect and kind of what everybody else sees.  Any time all 11 guys can be on the same page and see the same things at the same time, guys can play and react a little quicker.”"

Hopefully that quickness shows up on Sunday.  If it does, the New England Patriots should back on tract and back to their winning ways.